UCC Education Professor Challenges Prof. Adei Over Comment to “Sack All Public School Teachers”
In discussions surrounding enhancing the standard of basic school education in Ghana, Professor Stephen Adei, former Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, has called for the dismissal of all teaching staff.
On the other hand, Professor George Kwaku Toku Oduro, a Professor of Educational Leadership at the Institute for Educational Planning and Administration at the University of Cape Coast, disagrees with this viewpoint.
While Prof. Adei has attributed the underperformance of students in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) to teachers, Prof. Oduro believes that holding teachers solely responsible and suggesting their removal is not a fair solution.
“Does this proposal imply that there are no dedicated, competent teachers in our public basic schools? Is the teaching factor the only contributor to the quality of education in these schools? Do teachers, especially those in disadvantaged schools, work in a supportive learning environment?” Prof. Oduro raises these questions in response to Prof. Adei’s suggestion.
Prof. Oduro highlights that the lack of resources such as teaching aids and laboratory equipment can have a significant impact on a teacher’s teaching capabilities. He believes that the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service should take responsibility for ensuring schools have the necessary resources.
In addition, the educational expert questions why Prof. Adei is not advocating for improvements in the supervision structure instead of dismissing teachers. He notes that even if all public school teachers were replaced, the current insufficient supervision and support would still result in student underperformance.
Prof. Oduro emphasizes that any solution must be fair, especially towards teachers who work tirelessly under challenging conditions. He believes that creating a supportive teaching environment, rather than dismissing teachers, will lead to improved performance.
“Why should hardworking teachers, who despite challenging circumstances, be fired? Dismissing all teachers and hiring new ones is not the answer. By providing a supportive teaching environment, teachers will thrive and deliver,” said Prof. Oduro.